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SPECIAL NOTICE - 6 October, 1999

In Ottawa, Canada on October 5th and 6th, 1999, representatives from regulatory authorities and industry associations from Canada, USA, Australia, Japan and the European Union met at the first meeting of the Ad Hoc Procedures Group of the Global Harmonization Task Force (GHTF). Initial consensus was reached on recommendations to be further discussed at the next meeting of the Ad Hoc Procedures Group to be held in February, 2000. These recommendations deal with guiding principles for the GHTF, roles and responsibilities for those involved in the GHTF and GHTF operating procedures. The Ad Hoc Procedures Group will have draft documents on these subjects available for the next GHTF conference to be held in Ottawa on September 18-22, 2000.

The Global Harmonization Task Force (GHTF) was conceived in 1992 in an effort to respond to the growing need for international harmonization in the regulation of medical devices. Chairmanship of the organization rotates between the five founding members and the current chair is Canada.

Last Updated June 23, 2004